A pretty interesting discussion is going on in the Linux kernel development community. Christoph Hellwig, one of the Kernel maintainer, has revealed that Linus Torvalds privately expressed his intention to merge Rust code into the Linux kernel, even if some maintainers object.
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Linus Considers Merging Rust Code into the Linux Kernel
In a statement on the Rust for Linux mailing list, Christoph Hellwig shared that Linus Torvalds has privately indicated his willingness to merge Rust code into the kernel, despite potential objections from certain maintainers.
This suggests that Linus sees the benefits of Rust as significant enough to justify potential conflict.
The plan is not to rewrite the entire kernel in Rust but to introduce it incrementally, starting with new device drivers. This gradual approach aims to minimize disruption and allow maintainers time to adapt to the new language.
Ultimately, Linus has the final say and can enforce his decisions, regardless of opposition.
Why Rust in the Kernel?
The main reason for considering Rust is its memory safety features. The Linux kernel is written in C, a language that, while powerful, requires careful memory management to avoid bugs.
Rust makes it easier to write safe code, potentially reducing vulnerabilities and improving stability.
It is believed the potential for writing safer device drivers is a key motivation for adopting Rust.
Why Some Maintainers Oppose Rust Integration in Linux kernel?
So, if Rust is so great, why the controversy? Here's a breakdown of the main points of contention:
- Maintainability: Some maintainers, including Hellwig, are concerned about the long-term maintainability of Rust code in the kernel. Introducing a second language adds complexity and could lead to inconsistencies.
- Code Quality: There are questions about whether Rust code in the kernel will be as efficient and idiomatic as C code, especially when interfacing with existing C code and kernel data structures.
- Maintainer Authority: If Linus Torvalds overrides maintainer objections, it could undermine their authority and create conflict within the development process.
- Codebase management: Introducing another language to the Kernel may cause management issues. Constant rewriting of parts from one language to another may be a concern.
Christoph Hellwig's Concerns
Hellwig has been quite vocal about his concerns. He worries that Rust bindings (code that connects Rust and C) could "creep everywhere like a cancer," leading to a fragmented project with unclear guidelines. He also fears the overhead of managing a multi-language project.
Greg Kroah-Hartman Also Expresses Interest to Include Rust Code in Linux Kernel
Following Linus Torvalds' lead, Greg Kroah-Hartman also supports the integration of Rust into the Linux kernel.
Both Linus and Greg see Rust as a way to improve the safety and reliability of the Linux kernel, although there are differing opinions among other kernel maintainers.
For more details, read the following article:
Greg's and Linus's support is a big deal because they’re not just any developers; they are key players in keeping the Linux kernel stable and up-to-date. So I believe Rust is likely to become a part of the kernel in the future.
Christoph Hellwig Resigns
Christoph Hellwig has stepped down as the maintainer of the DMA mapping subsystem, with Marek Szyprowski taking over. This change comes amid ongoing debates and tensions surrounding the integration of the Rust programming language into the Linux kernel.
For more details, read the following link:
Final Thoughts
The integration of Rust into the Linux kernel is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what impact it has on the future of Linux.
This situation also indicates the ongoing balancing act in Linux kernel development: how to introduce new technologies and improve security without disrupting the existing codebase and the established development processes.
Whether Linus will actually override maintainer objections remains to be seen. But the fact that he's considering it shows how seriously the kernel community is taking the potential of Rust.
What do you think about Rust in the kernel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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1 comment
This sounds scary indeed.
I would rather shrink kernel code first.
And then, yes Rust memory management is good but does this lead people not to care anymore? Do we have kernel programmers who does not understand free() anymore?
There is a risk we are loosing C coders!